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October 9, 2012

State troopers investigating hostage hoax

Associated Press

BLAIRSVILLE — State police are trying to find the man who called in a bogus hostage situation in Blairsville, interrupting a family's dinner.

Troopers from the Indiana, Pa. barracks say the incident happened about 5 p.m. Sept. 25 when the still-unknown caller told police that a man in Blairsville had three hostages and was threatening to kill them unless he received $10,000.

Police were familiar with the man identified as the hostage taker from past incidents, but when they called him police found the man at home with his family and quickly concluded the report was a hoax.

Police were continuing to review phone records and other information Tuesday, but were asking the public for tips about who might have placed the call.

Blairsville is about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh.

 

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